Ludlow named in England U18 squad for South Africa tour

England Under 18s have named their squad for this summer's tour to South Africa where Head Coach John Fletcher and Assistant Pete Walton's side will take on South Africa, France and Wales.

England U18s won their second successive FIRA/AER European Championship in April this year - beating France 27-22 in the final in Grenoble - and Fletcher is looking to replicate those performances this summer.

He said:

"The summer tour is an important part of the England Under 18s season - we're excited about heading out to South Africa for the second year in a row and it's a good opportunity for our lads to play against the best players in their age bracket.

"We performed well in the FIRA/AER European Championship and we'll be looking to perform well out there.

"The value of touring is there for all to see - last year the likes of Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Ross Moriarty, Callum Braley and Tom Stephenson all came out to South Africa, and this season they have won the Six Nations and the IRB Junior World Championship with the Under 20s.

"We know that all three games will be tough - we know the qualities that Wales and France possess and playing South Africa in their own back yard is one of the biggest tests in world rugby, but it's one we're looking forward to."

Premiership Rugby today announces a new partnership with Singha Beer, which confirms the premium Thai lager as the new title sponsor of the Premiership Rugby 7s Series and an official partner of Premiership Rugby.

Gloucester dominated for long periods against Wasps at the Ricoh Stadium on Sunday afternoon but were made to pay the price for defensive lapses and a number of key refereeing decisions not going their way in a 32-21 defeat.